Emmanuel Bonnici, a former Nationalist minister and MP, not to mention an extremely popular figure in his home town of Valletta, died yesterday aged 77.

Dr Bonnici was born in 1929, and was educated at the Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta where he graduated BA in 1949 and LL.D in 1952. He started his political career in 1962, when he contested the so-called “independence elections” without success; however he was elected in the five successive elections between 1966 and 1987.

Dr Bonnici was again unsuccessful in 1992, when he retired from the political arena and took up a directorship at Bank of Valletta. He was shadow minister for housing (1974-76) and shadow minister for trade (1976-87). Between 1963 and 1978, he was also president of the PN Club in Valletta.

However, Bonnici is best remembered for his stint as Tertiary Development Minister between 1987 and 1992.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, former Nationalist MP and Marsascala councillor, Josie Muscat, described Dr Bonnici as courteous, soft spoken and above all, “a gentleman”.

He recalled Dr Bonnici’s style, which was based on quiet determination, and said that he was extremely popular with his constituents in the capital.

The Nationalist Party also issued a statement in which secretary general Joe Saliba praised Bonnici’s qualities which he said were instrumental in the political and economic development of the country.

Dr Bonnici was also president of the Valletta Regatta Club and of Valletta United Waterpolo Club, honorary president of the Valletta Basketball Club and a member of the King’s Own Band Club.

In 1993, Bonnici was appointed Companion of the National Order of Merit.